
The Scouts and the Pavilion
Following presentations from the Parish Council and the Scouts, with
regard to the proposed new Louie Memorial Pavilion plans, (as well as a
number of factually incorrect anonymous leaflets that are in circulation),
I thought it necessary to put forward my point of view, having been
Chairman of the Pavilion Trustees for some time.
We need a new building in the upper field. Both the existing Pavilion
building and the Scout Hut are in need of replacement. It is misleading
to suggest the Scout Hut is a perfectly viable building as it is, without
substantial investment. It is merely in a better structural state than the
Pavilion. Following assessment by the Consultant, refurbishment of
either building was not considered a good value option for the
community.
The plan to replace both buildings has been in mind for several years.
This was known to be the plan of the Parish Council, and was something
the Pavilion Trust and the Scouts were fully aware of. This is why
successive applications over the last five years or so to extend the
Scouts lease were turned down. The Trustees have simply asked that
the new building be a replacement for the existing two buildings. The
user rooms are not increased in total area compared to those in the
existing buildings. Any increase in size is merely to reflect current
requirements for things like changing rooms, toilets and accessibility. It
would be illogical to reduce the size of the user rooms to allow for these
vital changes. It would not be in the interests of the community using the
building.
Other than asking for the new building to offer two rooms of comparative
size to the user rooms in the existing buildings, the Pavilion Trust has
made no other stipulations, aside from improved storage and changing
rooms that meet modern requirements/Sport England recommendations.
The Scouts have made a number of comments, which the plans have
been revised to accommodate. These comments have highlighted
problems, but never suggested solutions or come from an approach of
compromise, as far as I am aware. This will be a building for all to use –
the Scouts and the existing Pavilion Trust will have to adopt a new, more
open-minded approach to find a way forward. In these funding-starved
times, it would be irresponsible for the Parish Council to spend public
money on a building where areas were restricted to solely serve one fixed
group.
The existing Pavilion Trust is very keen to work with the Scouts in a new
facility, to the benefit of all users and the community. When the new
building is complete, the Scouts (should they wish to take this opportunity